Electric-signal system.



I A..y L. som. ELEGTRIQ SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLIoAToN FILED SEPT. 22, 1906.

`4 SHEETS-SHEBTI.

` PATENTED AUG. 6, 190'?. h

l PATBNTED AUG. 6, 1907. A. L.- soHM. ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM;

APPLICATION *FI'LED SEPTZZ'IOB.

4 SHEETS-SHEET z.

- PATENTBD AUG,6,1 907.

y A PATENTED AUG. 6, 1907. AA. L. soHM.' ELECTRIC SIGNAL smsffmrE APPLICATION-FILED SEPT. 22, 1906'.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.l

eiseres.'V

'ALFRED L. SOHM, OF LOS NGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSGNOR TO NATIONAL ELECTBC WORKS,

OF LOS ANGELES, CALFORNIA, A ICORPORATXON OF CA'LlFORlil-JLy LECTRI-SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Lettersyate'nt. s Appleman neispu'mtei 22.1906. seran no. sai.

Los Angeles, in the` Electric-Signal Systems, ol which tlic following is o..

" from any number oi' stations muy bevindicsted by tlie employment of a. number oi electro Aniognetspr s olenoids controlling the' exhibition of the indicating iigures, corresponding to the number of digits required to produce t'ne various numbers by which tlie stations are designated.

Another object of `my invention is to produce an improved signal or call system in which signals or c'alls from individual stations are designated by figures' fir-- ranged upon onel or more rotatably mounted dial merrbers, the numlier or numbers corresponding to the station `from which call is. sent licing exhibited through a suitably arranged sight opening.

Another obicct oithe invention is to provide in o.

signal or call system, one or more rotatable number-V bearing dial members adopted to be automatically retained by an elect cally controlled stop oi' brake, in any position in which it moved todesignate tlie station from which a signal is received, until moved from such position by the action of on attendant.

A urtlier object 'of my invention is to provide in a signaling system means to auton'zstically open the circuit between all. of the calling stations and the receiv ing station :ind utilizeian electric current carried by .i local circuit to operaio the" signal after a call is given, until tho-first named circuit is closed by en lattendant4 A still utl'ier object of my invention is to provide means for apprising a person sending a call from a calling station as to Whether or not his call is received and indicated at the receiving L:tation Further objects oi my inventionare to provide a signzil system' Whose cost oi' manufacture und maintenance is low, which requires only a ,small muount of cui it `'or its operation, u'liicli is rapid and reliable in its action; is perfectly adopted ior use in conneci ion with call bells, telephones ind burglar alarms. and whose receiving station or si ral indicating incolumism occupies but a small port of tire sparco required by devices at present in us" for ilul sume purpose.

Wol: tiueso and miic" rivier-ls in view tlie present in ilu: nomination auf! details el' v IPatented Aum., i997.

ing description and particularly pointed out in the' appended claims.

In the drawings: .Figure l isa iront view oi an annunciatoiv embodying tlxe principle of tlie present invention, having twov dial wheels and, adopted to record calls from not` to eicecd 99'staiions, the cover or casingof the device being shown in section or clearness of illustration. Fig.- 2 is a sectional view taking on lino .fi-A of Fig. 'l looking toward the left. Fig. 3 is an end 'elevation of the annuncia-tor looking at its left side with certain features omitted for clearness ol illustration, Fig. 4iso. diagrammatic view oi the windings ol the receiving station and outlying circuits, the windings of the electro magnets which control the eX luibition oi the indicating figures being shown outside or. the ar'ea oi the receiving station for clearness oi illustration. Fig. 5 is a central cross section-al view of one of -lio dial` Wheels upon which the indicating figures are located. Figs. G and 7 are respectively side and top detail views oi one oi" the coils used to stop the' dial .at the right point in its rotation to display. a. number corresponding' to tlie station from which a signal -is sont. 1 Fig. S shows in section the manner of securing the said. coils to 'their support, and Fig. 9 is a detail view showing in elevation the shutter and mechanism iorioperatingtlie same.

For purposes of illustration I have shown `my invention as embodied in a call bell s'frnal system and anaununciator. l 'li nowvproceed to describel suchsystem and annunc .tor constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention.

ln the drawings in which like numerals oi Xelerence represent corresponding parte throughout the several views l is a support upon which is removably secured s suitably formed casing 2 proyided with mi aperture or sight opening 3 which may be closedwitli u glass or other transparent medium 4. Secured to the support-.vl Within. the casing 2 is a ioracket 5 preferably of bran-:s or other non-magnetic metal comprising a 'onse or support 6 and n preferably circular disk 7 in the center of which is provided a suitable bearing iorn shalt Sto the inner end ol which' is rigidly secured 'the hub l() of a dialy wheel ll provided with a fiat peripheral flange l2.' -Tbe dial Wheel l-i is preierably'formed oi aluminium and for the purpose oi lessening its Weight portionsy thereof are cut out asshovln in Fig. 3, the part remaining preferaoly compr e an outside ring lli joined to a central ring7 lfi by the t ms or spokes l5. i

Mounted upon the outer sido oi the or suitable means, :is screws i6, is a horizontal bracket 17 upon which rigidly 'mounted dial actuating Solenoids i8 and 184 Within these solenoids are disposed mov obje cores l-Q and lil adapted to ne drawn up into the solenoids upon their lioingrenerfnzed. Cores i9 and lili are rigidly secured to n plate zu which normally rests season ratchet is a pawl or doge? which is pressed against the f l0 vratchet by the spring 4.8. The outer end oi the paw! or dog-i7 is secured to' the armature i9 of a release coil 50 which corresponds in general construction and arrangement with the stop coils 38, but as shown, has no stop pinsecured to the armature. Whenthe release coil 50 is energizedthe armature 49'will be drawn towardit against the influence of the spring 48 and will. release the pa-Wl or dog 47 from ,engagement with the ratchet/16 thereby permitting the dial Wheels to rotate totheir normal positions.

AArranged between the release coil and the shaft 8 andv in proximity to the pawl or dog 47is a relay coil 5l provided-'with an armature 52 disposed in juxtaposition to one end oi. the core of the said coil and which normally occupies the position shown'in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The armature is mounted nponia springr 53 of phosphor bronze or otherrnon-magnetic.spring metal, said spring being insulated from the relay Coil 5 1 by l suitable insulation 54. Disposed in'proximity to the free end of spring 53 and normally in Contact there- .with is a Contact point 55, said spring and contact point forming a part of the' signal circuit in which the signal sending means, solenoids i8 and 15in. and stop coils 28 Pivoted at 56 to one end plate of the relay coil 5l is al rod or arm 57 having a hooked end 58 preferably formed or covered with suitable insulation and adapted to engage the free end of the spring 53 and hold thee-aine in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 alter the armature has been drawn toward the core oi the relay coil.

i The attraction of the relay coil upon the armature 52 .serves to bringthe spring 53 into contact with Contact i point 59 and thereby close a local circuit designed to accomplish certain purposes to be hereinafter more fully described. By reference to Fig. 4 oi the drawing it will be seen that the iocal circuit above mentioned incl udes a battery 60, the spring 53, Contact point 59 and a coil (il whose purpose will be hereinafter eX- plained. One e'nd .oi the described circuit is connected to the frame Work of the stop coils 28, the frame work oi all of said coils being electrically connected together. The other end el the described Circuit is connected to the operating mechanism oi the device at any convenient point as by a connection with the bracket (i which is in electrical Contact through the shaft 8 with tliejli-.rfigir/heels ll. When, therefore, any part of the metallic portion ol the stop coils 28 or attached mechanism contacts with any partI oi the dial wheel' lll, the local circuit above described will be co'nplefed and current from the battery 60 will pass through coil (il, Contact point 59, and spring 53 'as bereinbol'ore described. In the operation of my device this circuit is closed by the Contact oi' any oneof the stop pins 29 with the lugor offset 30. The coils 6l in the above described local' circuit is arranged to operate a shutter 62 designed to normally conceal the portion of the dial adjacent the side'opening 3. The shutter is carried at the end of the arm 63 pivoted at point 64 to a bracket 65 Carried by and extending above the solenoid supporting bracket 17. To the end oi the short arm 66 is pivotally connected a link 67 which is in turn pivotally secured to the armature 68 oi the shutter operating electro magnet l. For clearness of illu stration, portions of th'e shutter operating mechanism are omitted from Fig. 3, such parts being clearly illustrated in Fig. 9. --The construction of the electro niagnet 6l is similar to that of` the stop coils except that no stop pin is employed in conneetlon therewith.

The armature 68 is normally held away from the adjacent en'd o the coil by the spring G9 Wh ich operates in this connection in the manner heretofore described in connection with the spring 87. lt will thus be seen. from the foregoing that the immediate result oi any of the stop pins 29 contacting with the lug or oisetil, is to energize relay coil 5l thereby opening the circuit between the stop coils and. the various outlying stations and permitting a local current to pass through the shutter operating coil 61 thereby raising the shutter to display the number adjacent the aperture or sight open-` ing. The shutter is always closed until a number is in position to be exhibited' through the sight opening 3 so that norrnovement roi the dial is ever to be observed through said opening.

To direct the attention oian attendant to a call sent in, l employ a bell, buzzer, electric light or other signal designated in the drawing by the reierence numeral 70. This signal or alarm is located in a special local circuit which includes the battery 60 and terminates in contact' points 7l and 72 which are carried by any suitable spring arms '.73 and 74 respectively. ,An ex- `tension on spring arm 74. is normally engaged by lower or normal position with the extension 75 of the spring 74, serves to press contact point '72 away Afrom Contact point 71. When, however, the solenoids lS and 18*L are energized and the plate 2O is raised in consequence thereof the contact points 7l and 72 come togetherand the signal or alarm is operated until the plate 20 "returns to its 4normal position.

After a signal hasbeen given and the` station indicated on the dial, the device may bereset to receive other calls by energizing the release ooil 50 which has been hereinbefore described. Upon' energizing electro magnet 5() the drawing up 0i the armature 49 not only disengages the 4pawi or dog 47 from the ratchet 46, but also causes the spring arm 57 to release the spring 53, thereby permitting the latter to Contact with contact point55 by which the apparatus is again placed in connection with the outline circuits. The above described movement oi the arm 57 is duc to its pivotal connection With the pawl or dog 47 at point 7 G shown in Fig. 2.

For purposes of illustration. of my invention I have shown the electrical connection ol ninety nino srations with the central or receiving station or annunciator and have illustrated such station or annuiici'itor as provided with two indicating dials which are suililll) vieni io 'n-lcaic 0:1' Neuilly calls from my @tablon in ill@ y il; is 'to lie midorfltco that widitional "Mms, iirce (i ill-l being milicia il; io liilcitc calli;

lie di 'Lira mg Flatron Jr arlmmcai When a mgm-,i n smid@ there; te

battery im my Way of i1 Iii is io lis micrsioii 'fili i, above (i brd is cfirzea., dial shown me thc left band c:

r portion. of Fig.

the "n ille left lwnd or tem,

een, vg or o'rset from the lmiiccfjf slang Ein-cs cicsigmrterl 21578, 79 mui poin imm tirarme ilrrmigli pin 2i), :mal offset Si), along tlsrmiglx iicrciay coil 51, from ln-mec along line il? z5) lic i513 and lrfrclc tc' thc battery G0.

As licreribef'orc described the energizing of tlm relay cnil 5l wiiljrrizrk the @intact lich i the sp1 and Contact point 55 and will blieb coma i nef 'iii/cem said sprng 'and Contact fo i) thereby closing :i local currar/ii; from ille 'haiti "y bil along; lin-Q 78 to 2L slmtizcr 5f) muil point 8S and thence rior lime Si) illrm ir ih@ actuating coll, in fm 'dxrough Contact puin?,

back tu the battery, by way of ,lines 82, 83, 'ii-ml 84.

when ai signal is i0 he sont to my Siaiimr"wh0se iicsgmtcd number is alwvc nine, ille closng of tire circuit l; pressing puh. button will cmzrblsli :i circuit through the units coll corrcspoi'ifling to its units Gugh the icil coil Corresp@ 'ling to, its

lens digit. dial annunciata lluaimtcil in Fig, 4 as 28N. Consider' im' cxumpic' that a call is sont from sli/Lion X15 my clos it al; that poini, Lim current from battery GQ.

i0 md through ille push billion ai atiiton'X from thence along lines 2mal lGG, to and ilirough tens coil number .fl-Laid from thence by W2-,y of line S1 to nud through lie units solemd wand 18H, through con taci p0rn@ 55 and. spring and from thence 'no She battcry @il by way 0i' lines 82, 83 and 84.

' cla station in 'che System is preferably located i single stroke electric nell 11G shown in connection with simio?. No. Xl in Fig. il This belli will sound W navel' he pirelli button at szion 3. is closed, ish@ it between mici push builtin l@ cl f. vif imwcver the circuit is cn ilevbei Wi noi', aou-nal sctlizzi, a par fm operzziiig l grial will. krmw thatlzsignall-lmftincziicdcnil. firm "is .r. From the orcgoflg slcscripiimi it will be zmirsicoal have prmmd im improved signa-.l system Simi l imicziing ammira @ccmripiszlxmg ille object@ i. rated. .Y v is is wmcrriood that have only Slmwnmrffi 'csmibefl on@ wrizodimr-ui 21' illustmiion 0l my nvfmdem lmiied herein @aceptas ima.

ving fully 'bsd my nvcntinn wlmi; I claim is; En cicclrlc il sysiem, :1 signal indicating (leliring a immlmr un said r ar' a station from which a 'pi'..i )n to if@ aliserved, means il circuit when the ilnl comes to res y cui! in :mld clrcui; adaped een 'nc signal. ln-

ilcd in the appended' l. ric@ cossiprlfllng :1. di .L manna to .gmxi @cle-inf p, signi-Ll indicating mln, n (imi, merma to hrlg the :mid Cial lut@ n '1" u number corresponding; to the numm lier 0l che station imm which :i Signa'- l sunt, a shutter normally preventing Lim dlsplayi oi said dial, moana adapted iii close :i local circuli: when the dial comes io the said position, a relay coil in said circuit, means assoclxrio with mi.' r cati: i and the mxlzlylng emi ami tu close a lucir! circuit :1mi :i sliulier actuating cmi unpted to move ille mid slrmier out oi iis nmrmzxl pnslilou o permit the ollelmi'lon si 21 :lumber in a posiun tu llc displayed;

il. in im yric` signal system, u s indicating mcixirn, a dig-cl z sncal'ml tirerwith, el, illy actunied means io display n number on Suid dial corrcsjiomlinf; *to imi E :i station 'from which a signal is seni, meim: 'lo m1- 'romnlcnlly lmld tile said da! in ,a pcsitifm to (l play; Said number. zxumlmizic :uns t Gpcn the circuit bmw een the slp-nul indicating inseam :md libe outlying tatinns when ille dial is moved luto position to display number correspnmliig; if) ilmi of a station from which a signal ira sent, :1mi vlecirlcally natuur means adzipie'il to release the da! if) permi lt 'to regain its normziljjositlon luid close The circuit bctween the signal indicating nl ezms and the outlying station. ,I fr. In an clcciric signal system, n Signal indicating means comprising a dial, fr mutter normally concealing a porilnn of tlm swine, means to opu the circuit between the 'mld Slgmxl inlcatzig ymeans and the outlying mations when n xml is received and indicated and close u, local circui.,.i1 shutter operating coil therein adapted t() 'more ilu: said initier :md means'to simultaneously close the circuit btweun the coll milcaing means and operi the said lnciilucii'cillt. I

5 in a signal syst m', u signal lmllcntlng means conr pri my a rotary dini, am electrically conirolled stop or brake fxdapief] lio hold llimsume in any -posliion in which il. ls plncwl, n relay coil ndaptefl'to be energlyed when a igual mirc-eww and indicated, merma actimQcd hy said 0 tlv: inl in permit. ii'. t0 return to its normal {msl 'm1,

cnil. if) npcn the circuit'y between said slglml il^|dicatlng4 that auch invention is not w be asnslilerf lili) scacco and each of said coils adapted to stop the said dial in pov sition to indicate the number of the station in series therewith, and means to=break ithe circuit in which said coils and stations are located.

7. In an electric signal system, a signal indicating means comprising a rotary dial carrying numbers to be displayed` means to rotate said dial tobring the numbers carried thereby successively into a position to be observed,

a series of electrically actuated means severally in circuit with' the individual stations in the system, said means bein'g arranged in proximity to said dial and each of said means adapted when a signal is set from any station to advance a stop or brake velement into the path of movement ot a portion of said dial, the parts being so arranged that when the dial is stopped a number will be in position to be observed which will correspond with the number' of the station from which the signal is sent, means to automatic-l .ally hold thedlal inl said position and electrically operated means adapted to eiect the release of said dial, said dial being adapted upon such release to return to. its normal y in, the system and adapted when a signal is vsent from any vstation to stop the movement of said dial t exhibit a number corresponding to the number of the lstation from which the signal is sent, means for resetting said dial, the said indicating meansA being adapted to automatically open the circuit between itselfand each signal station upon receivingr a signal from such station and to maintain said circa-rit open until the means has-been actuated. i

9. In an electric signal system, a signallndicatlng device comprising a dial, means for rotating said dial to succes svely bring thenumbers thereon into a position to be observed when asignal is sent from any` station in-the system, a series of electrically controlled means corre sponding in number to the number oi. figures 'on the dial, cachot said means being ln circuit with individual stations in the system and each being adapted when a signal is sent from any'vstation to engage a portion of said dial to check its movement at a point to display a. number coi" responding to the number of the station from which said signal is sent, means to bold the dial in any position in which it is placed and electrically actuated means to refor resetting the dial lease the said dial,said dial being adapted upon such release to return to its normal position.

10. In an electric signal system, a signal indicating device adapted to indicate a station from which a signal is sent, means actuated by said signal indicating device adapted when a4 signal is received to'ciose a local circuit in which is located a rshutter operating coil adapted to display a figure on said signal indicating device when said shutter operating coil is energized. 11. In an electric'signal system a signal indicating device adapted toindlcate the number of a station in the system from which a signal is sent, automatic means adapted to open the circuit in which each of said signal' stations is loca'ted when a signal is sent` therefrom and means at each stationiu the system adapted to indicate whether the circuitin which said; station is located is open or closed.

'number corresponds with -the digit, the display of which is controlled by said coil, the dial to the left of the first l pained diaLcarryIng a series .of digits, coils adapted to .control the indication or displayof each of said digits, each of saidcoils being' in electrical communication with 4, 5,-6, 7, 8 and i), awliire number of coils adapted to con-4 trol the indication or display oi? the said digits, each of.

said coils being in-circuit With all stations, lthe units ligure of whose number corresponds with the number the display of which is controlled by the said coil, the dial to the -icit of the'irst named dial bearing a'scries of consecutive digits, a like number of coils adapted to control the indicationor display of said digits, each of said coils being in circuit with all of the stations, the tens figure of whose number corresponds with the -number the indication or display of which is controlled by the said coil, and also in circuit with one^of the coils controlling' the indication or display of the digits on the units dial, when a signal is sent from any station. y

In testimony whereori :iii'lx my signature in presence ot two witnesses.

' ALFRED L. SOHM.

Witnesses S. C. HILL, g .Toxin S. Powers. 

